Eaves-trough clamping tool



Filed Sept. 14, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor I Jrfwr MMoore By @Mm Aug. 29, 1933. A. M. MOORE 1,924,799

EAVES TROUGH CLAMPING TOOL Filed Sept. 14, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I nvenlor 4 Home y Patented Aug. 29, 1933 PATENT OFFICE EAVES-TROUGH CLAMPING TOOL Arthur M. Moore, Goshen, N. Y.

Application September 14, 1932 Serial No. 633,206

2 Claims. (Cl. 113-101) This invention relates to a special clamping tool primarily adapted for use by tinsmiths and expressly constructed for securely clamping the overlapped ends of a pair of trough sections toi gether while being soldered at the joint.

That a clamping tool of this type is needed in the trade and practically required for successful joint soldering is evident by the fact that the prior art to which the invention relates is already well developed along this general line. Despite the fact that similar clamps have already been patented, I have nevertheless developed an improved form of clamp which,'it is believed, will better fulfill the requirements of a tool of this class.

By way of comparison with prior art devices, I have constructed a structurally refined and practical clamping tool which may be more easily applied and removed in cramped spaces, morereadily secured in place, and otherwise constructed to insure firm maintenance of the overlapped ends of the trough sections so that both hands are rendered free for expeditiously and effectively soldering the joints.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is an elevational view showing a pair of interconnected gutter or trough sections and the improved retaining clamp applied in position for use.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the structure seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse enlarged cross sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the clamping tool per se.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail section on the line 55 of Figure l.

Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of certain of the details.

In the drawings, the complemental sections of the gutter or eaves-trough are denoted and distinguished by the numerals 8 and 9, these being of conventional form. Moreover the adjacent ends of said sections are brought together in overlapped relationship and it is at this point of overlapping that the improved clamping tool is arranged so that the sections may be securely connected together while being soldered.

The clamping tool, as shown in Figure 4, com- -prises a pair of substantially semi-circular and approximately duplicate clamping jaws or members 10 and 11 respectively. Each member comprises a plate or strip of metal of approximate gauge distinguished by the numeral 12 and formed with spaced parallel reinforcing ribs 13. These clamping jaws are hingedly connected together at one end as indicated at 14 and as shown in Figure 2 the hinge is of a separable type. a

This is accomplished by providing the jaw 10 with a single hinge pin-knuckle 15 located between a pair of complemental knuckles 16 formed on the corresponding end of the jaw 11. These knuckles are arranged in alined relationship to accommodate a removable cotter key or hinge pintle 17. The idea in using a separable hinge is to permit these ends of the jaws to be sepa rated when the space is limited and inconvenience is encountered in separating the opposite ends of said jaws.

At the last-named end the jaw 10 is formed with a return-curl defining a bearing 18 for an associated pivot pin 19 carried by the adjacent end of the J-shaped arms 20 of a connecting link unit 21. The opposite ends of these arms carry a pivot and connecting pin 22 to which the portions 23 of the retaining lever or yoke 24 connect. The free ends of these portions 23 are provided with a cross pin 25 co-operable with a keeper hook 26 formed on the extremity of the jaw 11.

It is manifest that the so-called J-shaped link unit 21 operating in conjunction with the pivotally connected yoke-like lever 24 forms a togglelike take-up device for drawing the corresponding ends of the inner and outer jaws 10 and 11 together and binding said jaws firmly against the overlapped end portion of the gutter sections 8 and 9. For example, as depicted in Figure 4 by engaging the hooks 26 with the pin 25 and swinging the lever 24 downwardly, this will bring the jaws 10 and 11 into firm clamping relationship as shown in Figure 5. Consequentlythe pin 25 serves as a fulcrum pin and the hook 26 as a keeper seat therefor in order to permit this con traction of the jaws. At the same time, these features provide the requisite separable connection to permit the left-hand end portions of said jaws to be quickly detached for removal from the trough. v

When however the space is so limited as to prevent the lever 24 from being swung freely in the arc necessary to accomplish this result, the op by simply removing the hinge pin 17.

The gist of the invention is found in the provision of a simplified clamp primarily made up of a pair of approximately semi-circular companion jaws separably joined by hinge means at 5 one end, and operatively connected together at the opposite end through the medium of a special toggle-like take up and retaining device.

It will be noticed that the plates from which the jaws are made are comparatively light-weight but sufliciently strong due to the presence of the reinforcing rib 13. Likewise, it will be noticed that the jaws are properly proportioned in respective lengths in order to permit the lever 24 to function adequately and easily. The lever 24 constitutes the essential means for drawing the left-hand ends of the jaws 10 and 11 together in binding relationship while the unit 21 is preferably J-shaped in form in order to permit the lever to operate properly in its take-up action as well as to permit these ends of the jaws 10 and 11 to be separated for application and removal.

The unit 21 is permanently and hingedlyrconnected to the free end of the j aw 10 and the lever 25? 24 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the free swingable end or" the unit 21 whereby to properly allocate the parts for progressive and dependable action. It is further to be noted that the lever 24 is bowed longitudinally in order to permit it to assume a retaining position in close proximity to the adjacent end portion of the jaw 11 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. I

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent. It is to be understood that changes may, be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An eaves-trough clamping tool of the class described comprising a pair of arcuate substantially duplicate clamping jaws hingedly connected together at one end, the free end of one jaw being formed with a keeper hook, a substantially J-shaped link unit permanently and pivotally connected to the free end portion of the remaining jaw, a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the free swingable end of said link unit, the inner end of said lever being provided with a pin separably engageable with said keeper hook.

2. An eaves-trough clamping tool of the class described comprising a pair of companion clamping jaws of substantially duplicate arcuate shape, each jaw being formed from a longitudinally curved strip of metal, the jaws being hingedly connected together at corresponding endsythe upper jaw being somewhat longer than the lower jaw, the lower jaw terminating at its free end in a keeper hook, a substantially J-shaped link 00 unit permanently and pivotally connected to the free end of the upper jaw, a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the free swingable end of .said link unit, said lever being longitudinally bowed to conform somewhat to the shape of said jaws, and a pin carried'by the inner endportion of said lever and positioned to detachably engage said keeper hook whereby to produce the desired thrust and take-up action when the lever is swung to closed jaw-retaining position.

: 'ARTHUR M; MOORE. 

